The players wear a bib containing sensors that register their position and heart rate at up to 1000 x per second. This enables distance covered, speed and acceleration to be precisely calculated. Combinations of these parameters provide insight into their actual fitness level and development. It also enables the players (and the ball) to be visualised by the software as moving mannequins. The trainer/coach can then look at tactical decisions, the way the defence, midfield and attack line up, the pressure exerted on the opponents, etc.
This football technology has been developed together with TNO at the club’s Herdgang training complex. The product has been marketed by the Dutch company Inmotio since 2007. Sports clubs/institutions currently using this product include PSV Eindhoven, Ajax Amsterdam, AC Milan, the Dutch Football Academy, the Dutch, German and Russian ice-skating federations, the Dutch handball academy and the Swiss federation for the education of trainers/coaches (Baspo).
